The " Popular Microscope." 65 



THE "POPULAR MICROSCOPE." 



Under this title, Messrs. Smith, Beck, and Beck have intro- 

 duced an instrument exhibiting more useful novelties in con- 

 struction than have appeared in any other microscope for a 

 long time. In point of rank, the " Popular Microscope''' is 

 intended to take its place between the most simple and the 

 most elaborate patterns. It is devised for those who require 

 more than can be obtained in the various instruments now 

 offered for about five pounds, and who from choice or economy 

 wish to stop far short of the large price which the best makers 

 all charge for their first-class work. 



We never undertake to offer any opinion on the purely 

 commercial question of which optician offers the most for a 

 given sum of money. Whenever a new microscope appears, 

 we desire to make our readers acquainted with its peculiarities, 

 and we only feel justified in noticing instruments that differ in 

 some important particular from what has been previously 

 produced. 



The requirements of the public are so various that they 

 can only be met by the exertions of a variety of manufacturers 

 directed in somewhat different ways. One microscopist will 

 have a handsome-looking instrument at a low price, and he 

 must be contented with inferiority in the optical work ; another 

 will put up with an ugly and even awkward stand, if better 

 glasses accompany it; a third wishes for glasses that divide 

 into lower powers on account of their economy, and he must 

 be content to have less perfection than can be obtained by the 

 purchase of objectives made on a different plan. Even when 

 money is plentiful, and the student is willing to give a hundred 

 guineas or more for an instrument, he will still find that which- 

 ever pattern he chooses, he goes without some advantage that 

 another pattern may possess. It is only just to various makers 

 that these facts should be insisted upon, and it is for our 

 readers to form their own opinion of the extent to which the 

 changes introduced by Messrs. Smith, Beck, and Beck are 

 likely to meet their own peculiar requirements. 



The first thing that strikes an observer of the (C Popular 

 Microscope" is the new mode of adjusting it to any angle 

 between a horizontal and a perpendicular position. On re- 

 ference to the annexed sketch, it will be seen that the base is 

 a triangular frame, down the middle of which are four holes, 

 a pin L, and an upright K having a hole, shown by the 

 dark spot at the top. The tube carrying the body of the 

 instrument is attached by a pivot to a broad stay, G, and 

 the bottom of this stay is hinged on to the base, E. At the 

 VOL. VII. — NO. i. p 



